This Air Fryer Pancakes recipe is a quick and reliable way to make light, fluffy pancakes without standing over the stove. Ready in under 15 minutes, it yields a large, golden pancake that you can slice into portions and serve with your favorite toppings.
If you enjoyed air fryer scrambled eggs, french toast sticks, or granola, these pancakes fit perfectly into an easy brunch spread. They pair well with most air fryer breakfast recipes and are great for a simple weekend meal.
Why You’ll Love Air Fryer Pancakes:
- Convenient: The air fryer frees you from standing at the stove. It’s a mostly hands-off approach that makes breakfast simpler.
- Simple: This method produces one large pancake you slice into pieces, instead of flipping many small pancakes.
- Delicious: The pancake comes out tender, slightly crisp on the edges, and perfect for syrup and fresh fruit.
Ingredients
Scroll below for the printable recipe card and exact ingredient measurements.
- All-purpose flour
- Sugar (granulated works best; brown sugar or a sweetener can be used)
- Baking powder (for a light, fluffy texture)
- Buttermilk (adds tang and tenderness)
- Egg
- Melted butter
- Vanilla extract
Equipment Needed
Use a 6-inch baking pan that fits inside your air fryer. Nonstick pans are easiest; a glass dish or small foil pie tins for individual pancakes also work.
How to Make Pancakes in the Air Fryer
Making these air fryer pancakes is straightforward and fast. The recipe serves two and can be doubled if needed.
Scroll below for the printable recipe card and ingredient measurements.
Whisk the wet ingredients: In a bowl, whisk the egg, melted butter, buttermilk, and vanilla until blended.
Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl combine the flour, baking powder, sugar, and a pinch of salt.
Combine: Add the wet ingredients to the dry and stir until just combined. A few small lumps are fine—overmixing makes pancakes tougher.
Fill the pan: Line a 6-inch baking pan with parchment and pour in the batter. If using individual foil tins, lightly grease them. Place the pan in the air fryer basket.
Cook: Preheat the air fryer to 390°F (200°C). Air fry the pancake for about 5 minutes, then carefully flip with a spatula and cook another 3–4 minutes, until the top is set and springs back when touched.
Serve: Transfer the pancake to a plate, slice into four pieces, and serve with syrup and fresh strawberries or other toppings you like.
Ways to Switch Up Your Pancakes
These buttermilk pancakes are a great base for add-ins. Try:
- Chocolate chip: fold in 2 tablespoons of chocolate chips.
- Blueberry: gently fold in 1/4 cup fresh or frozen blueberries.
- Strawberry: fold in 1/4 cup diced strawberries.
No Buttermilk? Here’s What to Use Instead
You can substitute regular milk for buttermilk by adding an acid. For every 1 cup of milk, stir in 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar and let it sit for a few minutes before using. This mimics the tang and helps the batter rise.
Recipe Tips
- Preheat: Always preheat your air fryer for a more even cook and consistent results.
- Use parchment: Lining the pan with parchment makes cleanup easier and prevents sticking.
- Don’t overmix: Stir the batter until the ingredients are incorporated; overmixing makes pancakes dense.
- Flip once: Flip the pancake after the first cook time to ensure even browning on both sides.
Does the TikTok parchment paper trick work for air fryer pancakes?
No — using parchment paper to make stacked or layered pancakes in the air fryer, as sometimes shown in viral videos, usually results in a messy outcome and unevenly cooked batter. Stick to a single-layer batter in a pan or greased individual tins for best results.
More Breakfast Recipes For You:
- Air Fryer Egg Bites
- Air Fryer Scrambled Eggs
- Air Fryer Hard Boiled Eggs
- Air Fryer French Toast Sticks
- Brioche French Toast Casserole
DID YOU MAKE IT? Please leave a comment and rating to let us know how this recipe turned out for you!
Recipe
Air Fryer Pancakes
Pin Recipe
Equipment
-
Air Fryer
Ingredients
- ½ cup + 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking powder
- 2 tsp sugar
- salt
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp melted butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
-
Line a 6-inch baking pan with parchment paper so it fits in the air fryer.
-
Preheat the air fryer to 390°F (200°C) for 3–4 minutes.
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In one bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt.
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In another bowl, whisk the egg, melted butter, buttermilk, and vanilla extract.
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Combine wet and dry ingredients and mix until just combined—do not overmix.
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Pour batter into the prepared pan. Air fry 5 minutes, flip, then air fry 3–4 minutes more until cooked through and springy to the touch.
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Transfer to a plate, cut into four pieces, and serve with syrup and fruit.
Notes
- Serves 2; double the ingredients to make more.
- Foil pie pans work well for individual pancakes if desired.